A meta-analysis study just published in the journal Science Translational Medicine points to cardiovascular risks caused by a recently approved and widely prescribed osteoporosis drug.
A meta-analysis covers several studies on the same topic that researchers collect and review for statistical significance and similarities. For this meta-analysis, they compared the results of clinical trials of the drug with analysis of studies on the human genetic variation that the drug artificially replicates.
The study results sound a clear alarm about the danger of this drug. This revelation is consistent with the history of osteoporosis drugs that receive FDA approval only to later be labeled with warnings of their potentially devastating side effects.
Sclerostin Inhibitors
The osteoporosis drug in question is a sclerostin inhibitor branded as Evenity (romosozumab).
Sclerostin is a glycoprotein encoded by the SOST gene, created by bone cells called osteocytes with the purpose of limiting osteoblast-induced bone formation. Once encoded, sclerostin regulates bone formation, making it an essential tool our body uses to maintain our bones.
In some people, a rare mutation of the SOST gene prevents the creation of sclerostin, which causes a condition characterized by bone overgrowth.
Sclerostin inhibitors are drugs that artificially replicate the effect of that naturally occurring mutation. Scientists hoped to increase bone formation in people with low bone density by imitating a genetic mutation that causes bone overgrowth. They accomplish this imitation with compounds called anti-sclerostin monoclonal antibodies, which are injected into the body.
Unfortunately, if unsurprisingly, this simplistic solution to a complex problem led to undesirable side effects.
Synopsis
Sclerostin inhibitors are a type of osteoporosis drug that mimics a mutation of the SOST gene, preventing it from encoding the protein sclerostin. Sclerostin regulates bone formation, ensuring that too much bone doesn't get formed. Scientists developed the drug Evenity (romosozumab) to artificially inhibit sclerostin, but, not surprisingly, unwanted side effects followed.
About The Study
The study we're looking at today compiled two related sources of information about the effects of sclerostin inhibition on the cardiovascular system.
First, the researchers looked at clinical trials of Evenity (romosozumab), focusing on the occurrence of cardiovascular events. Then they examined data from studies of people with the rare genetic mutation that naturally inhibits sclerostin encoding, to see whether they experienced similar cardiovascular events or conditions.1
This is how the study authors described their meta-analysis:
“Inhibition of sclerostin is a therapeutic approach to lowering fracture risk in patients with osteoporosis. However, data from phase 3 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of romosozumab, a first-in-class monoclonal antibody that inhibits sclerostin, suggest an imbalance of serious cardiovascular events, and regulatory agencies have issued marketing authorizations with warnings of cardiovascular disease. Here, we meta-analyze published and unpublished cardiovascular outcome trial data of romosozumab and investigate whether genetic variants that mimic therapeutic inhibition of sclerostin are associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Meta-analysis of up to three RCTs indicated a probable higher risk of cardiovascular events with romosozumab.”1
The results of Evenity's phase three trials showed that the drug increases the risk of a cardiovascular event. To remove any doubt that this negative side effect is intrinsic to the action of the drug, the authors looked at the drug's naturally occurring analog. Indeed, people with the SOST gene mutation that prevents encoding sclerostin also had a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
The authors concluded their study with the following statement:
“Our findings indicate that inhibition of sclerostin may elevate cardiovascular risk, warranting a rigorous evaluation of the cardiovascular safety of romosozumab and other sclerostin inhibitors.”1
When scientists artificially replicated the action of the gene mutation, they also replicated the serious cardiovascular risks it causes.
Synopsis
Researchers compared the results of Evenity's drug trials to the studies of people with the naturally occurring gene mutation that prevents the formation of sclerostin. They found that both causes of sclerostin inhibition increased the risk of cardiovascular disease.
A Dangerous Pattern
The road to get Evenity approved by the FDA was not a smooth one. In fact, the FDA initially rejected romosozumab in 2017 because clinical trials revealed that these cardiovascular problems occurred in a significant percentage of women.2
Of the 4,900 postmenopausal women in the drug's phase 3 trials, 50 (or 2.5%) developed cardiovascular symptoms or experienced cardiovascular events such as a stroke. That was enough for the FDA to reject the drug.
But Amgen, the manufacturer of Evenity, resubmitted the drug for FDA approval the next year. Since they couldn't make their drug safer, they simply claimed that the life-threatening cardiovascular risks are worth it for women at the highest risk of fracture.2
The FDA took the bait, and approved Evenity for women with a high risk of fracture, with the stipulation that studies should continue after the drug entered the market. In effect, they told Amgen that they could sell their dangerous drug, and figure out just how dangerous it is after it has already been prescribed to tens of thousands of women.
It’s worth noting that the European equivalent of the FDA (called the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use) simply rejected the drug, on the grounds that the side effects were too risky.
This is part of a pattern of Big Pharma pushing dangerous drugs through the FDA's ineffective approval process.
Synopsis
Evenity was initially rejected by the FDA because it caused cardiovascular disease and events, such as stroke, in women. When Amgen, the drug's maker, reapplied with the promise it would only be prescribed to women at the highest risk of fracture, the FDA approved the drug. Meanwhile, European drug agencies protected EU citizens by rejecting Evenity.
What This Means To You
This study provides more damning evidence of what Savers already know. Osteoporosis drugs make you less healthy and less safe. However, there are highly effective, scientifically proven ways to increase the density, strength, and quality of your bones to avoid fractures, without taking drugs.
Those natural approaches are the bedrock on which the Save Institute's Osteoporosis Reversal Program is built. A healthy pH-balanced diet, regular bone-building exercise, and simple but effective lifestyle changes can improve your bone health, enhance your wellness, and enrich your life.
Stop Worrying About Your Bone Loss
Join thousands of Savers from around the world who have reversed or prevented their bone loss naturally and scientifically with the Osteoporosis Reversal Program.
References
1 https://stm.sciencemag.org/content/12/549/eaay6570
2 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405525518300062?via%3Dihub
Learned MANY years ago the FDA is RAN BY PHARMA!!
Is Strontium with D3 and K effective to building bones,?
Carol, Vitamin D3 and K2 are Foundation Supplements listed in the ORP. However, at the Save Institute, we don’t recommend taking strontium. You can read about it here:
https://saveourbones.com/strontium-science-based-facts-vs-fiction/
https://saveourbones.com/strontium-demistyfied/
Thanks for the always up to date information. The body is so complex, one cannot just throw in it such powerful agents. Dr. Weston Price in the 1900s used a tem “food of commerce”, now there is also drugs of commerce. This dentist found traditional food to be wholesome and the teeth of those people eating an ancestral diet had nice teeth and well formed faces, unlike processed food eaters. So it is the same with bones!
Thanks for chiming in, Luc! Indeed, our biology is complex, but fortunately, we can apply natural solutions to improve our health 🙂
Hi I would like to know my mother takes this drug called prolia can you tell me what’s the verdict on this drug. My mom situation is difficult because although I would prefer she does not take it. She cannot via aliments as she has serious stomach problems especially with digestion and fat intake. She is skinny only eating fruits and veggies and some protein such as tofu , legumes , but she is lacking in protein except when she eats a bit of it, her stomach is affected , her hemorrhoids and varicose veins flare up . This causes her so much dis comfort that she cannot sleep. My mother is a miracle it is her faith in Christ Jesus that really keeps her going. She cannot eat well or sleep well and this drug I do not know what it is doing to her. Anyways I feel helpless in this that I am also getting stress related effects myself , if you don’t mind sending me some words of advice or simply to know if this prolia injection effects on the long run are good or not
thank you my warmest regard ,continue your excellent work
juan carlos
Hi Juan,
Some of us are in a situation where there is no other choice because of medical issues to take a bone drug. So your very best weapon is really you and your mother’s faith in Christ Jesus. Also to do what you can for exercise and a healthy diet is very important.
I’m so sorry about your mother’s ailments, Juan Carlos! Prolia (denosumab) can cause several undesirable side effects, and worse, once it’s discontinued, studies have shown that it actually increases fracture risk. Here are some articles I suggest you and your mother should read about this:
https://saveourbones.com/prolia-denosumab-review/
https://saveourbones.com/save-our-bones-bulletin-vitamin-c-trials-for-covid-19-patients-new-insight-into-bone-stem-cells-denosumab-study-finds-increased-risk-of-fracture/
I hope this helps and let me know if we can be of further assistance.
Hello juan carlos,
I am so sorry to hear about your mum’s distressing situation.
You say it is her faith in the Lord Jesus which keeps her going, so can I just say to her to Ask Him to Heal her, and the important bit is Believe that He Will and she definately Will be healed. It is such a simple thing but so difficult for our brains to comprehend that we find is difficult to do, but when we just Trust Him he does work miracles All the Time. I know because I have witnessed this.
Just Ask and Believe.
May the good Lord Jesus Christ hear this prayer for your mum.
And yes Vivian is a very blessed soul.
Carole
This is why I’ve been a happy subscriber to the Save Our Bones program. Vivian Goldschmidt has “got it going on!”
I’m continually amazed at the number of prescribed osteoporosis drugs that should never have been approved in the first place. How many of us have knowingly been used as guinea pigs?! Its numbers are undoubtedly staggering, for a surprising number of years!
My own number of fractures and subsequent number of days of suffering the severe pain and major inconvenience of such incidents have largely dropped off, giving me reason to believe I may very well ‘bounce’ (comparatively) through my more senior years by applying myself further with exercising, eating right and especially – thanks to Vivian Goldschmidt’s SoB program – staying informed. Much respect! This gal’s been better off for it! ♥
You’ve got this, Kimi! And I thank you for your kind words 🙂
Thank you. Ita.
You’re very welcome, Ita!